GNAT receiving help from local church

The Good Neighbor Action Team is getting some help from a local church in its effort to renovate and repair 40 local houses later this month.

GNAT co-convenor Treva Williams, a representative of the First Presbyterian Church, said that between June 1-12, the church will match any donations the group receives, up to $7,000, as it continues to raise money for several home improvement projects that volunteers will complete June 25-30.

"Whatever we raise, they (the church) will match dollar for dollar up to $7,000, basically doubling what is raised," Williams said. "We want to get churches, individuals and businesses to donate at this time ... It's a very generous offering and we're incredibly grateful that the church made this commitment."

The GNAT was formed earlier this year to complete various home improvement and repair projects for several low-income residents, disabled residents, and elderly residents who live on fixed incomes. Since then, the group has continued to try to recruit between 400 and 500 volunteers to help work on the houses over a six-day period.

Williams said the group will need to raise about $35,000 to $40,000 to complete needed work on houses that are scheduled to have work done. The group has raised about $10,000 so far, and is still looking for volunteers, Williams said.

"In order to be fully prepared for June 25, we need volunteers," she said. "We need at least 250 people to do it. If we only have 100 people, we will have to cut some of the jobs and we don't want to do that. We want to help people and do the things that are really needed done. But we've got to have the manpower to do it."

This newest fundraising effort and commitment by First Presbyterian Church comes at an ideal time for GNAT as the group has only a few weeks to raise needed funds, Williams said.

"We had no problem getting 40 homes," she said. "But it's a difficult time to get money from people. The church had wanted to contribute financially before and we (GNAT) thought, 'How can we double our money?' We encourage people in town to donate. We're trying to impact the community in a positive way and get things rolling."

The GNAT project is a continuation of last year's Good Neighbor Blitz, in which area churches, youth groups, organizations, businesses, and individuals spent one week repairing local houses owned by people who either physically or financially could not complete the work themselves, and the Neighborhood Revitalization Team that has worked in recent years to clean up Fort Scott. Several area churches, businesses, civic organizations and individuals plan to participate in the project.

Volunteers will be divided into at least 30 teams consisting of about 8-10 people per team, with each team assigned to one house. Qualified professionals will complete the more complex, skilled projects. Work that will be done includes interior and exterior painting, porch repair, landscaping, cleaning, flooring, dry walling, insulation installing, debris and trash haul-off, basic plumbing, and basic carpentry. No roofing or electrical work will be performed. Homes and projects are chosen based on several factors.

"We're doing things to help the homes last for years to come," Williams said.

The GNAT will also operate a food booth during the Good Ol' Days street festival on Saturday and Sunday. Pizza rolls, lemonade and soft pretzels will be available at the booth, which will be located at Skubitz Plaza. All proceeds from food and beverage sales at the booth will benefit the GNAT summer home improvement project, Williams said.

For more information, call Williams at (620) 223-5134 or 223-3180, co-convenor Julie Righter at (417) 667-3344, or co-convenor Reed Hartford at 223-3944.